Trump Warns of More US Strikes on Venezuela, Says Washington Is ‘In Charge’

US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning of possible military action against Venezuela, stating that Washington is prepared to launch additional strikes if the country’s interim leadership does not comply with American demands. His remarks have sharply escalated regional tensions following the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Speaking publicly, Trump claimed that the United States was now effectively “in charge” of the situation in Venezuela and focused on what he described as fixing a country he said had collapsed due to years of mismanagement. He warned that a “second wave” of attacks remained an option if interim authorities failed to meet US expectations. While suggesting that further action might not be necessary immediately, Trump stressed that the US was fully prepared to act again.

Trump confirmed that American forces had already been ready for follow-up operations but chose to hold back for the moment. He disclosed that one US helicopter had been severely damaged during the operation but said all personnel were safely recovered, with no fatalities reported. Injured service members, he added, were in stable condition.

Describing Venezuela as economically and institutionally broken, Trump linked the country’s crisis to the deterioration of its energy infrastructure. He reiterated Washington’s demand for full access to Venezuela’s oil and natural resources, arguing that large-scale investment was needed to revive production. Trump claimed US energy companies were prepared to rebuild oil facilities, asserting that much of the original infrastructure had been constructed by American firms in the past.

According to international reports, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean region, with thousands of personnel positioned as a deterrent. US officials have warned that further intervention remains possible if interim leader Delcy Rodríguez fails to accommodate American conditions. Trump stated that elections in Venezuela would take place “at the right time,” insisting that his administration’s priority was stabilisation rather than immediate political transition.

While Rodríguez has publicly condemned Maduro’s capture, Trump suggested that private communications were ongoing. He claimed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Rodríguez, asserting that she was willing to cooperate. Trump remarked that Venezuela’s interim leadership had limited options under the current circumstances.

In Caracas, senior political and military figures demanded Maduro’s return but signalled support for Rodríguez as a temporary leader. Defence officials accused the United States of imperial aggression and claimed both soldiers and civilians were killed during the operation. Authorities urged citizens to resume normal activities despite heightened security concerns.

Maduro’s son, Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, called for mobilisation by supporters, while opposition figure Edmundo González Urrutia, speaking from exile in Spain, described the events as significant but insufficient to resolve Venezuela’s political crisis.

International reaction was swift. Several Latin American countries, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay, warned that US military action set a dangerous precedent for regional stability. Many European nations also called for restraint and dialogue.

On the ground, fear of further strikes triggered panic buying in Caracas, with long queues forming outside supermarkets and pharmacies. In neighbouring Colombia, President Gustavo Petro ordered tens of thousands of troops to the eastern border as regional tensions continued to rise.